Staff photo by Cathy CramerThe Bridgeton High School Air Force Junior ROTC post the nation's colors at a Bridgeton Veterans Council program at the Riverfront.

BRIDGETON — The Bridgeton Veterans Council, with assistance from the city of Bridgeton, paid tribute to veterans and active military personnel in a poignant ceremony at the Riverfront on Friday morning.

Representing the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1795, Catholic War Veterans and Disabled Veterans of America, the Veterans Council presented attendees with a program recognizing the sacrifices of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave,” said U.S. Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Andrew Haump. “The Utopian idea of a society without war can seem appealing, but let’s remember that war has liberated slaves, stopped genocide and toppled terrorism. You can show support by saying thank you to next veteran you see.”

Students from the Cohansey Seventh-day Adventist Christian School, with guidance from principal and teacher Cathy Tomlinson, displayed psalms they selected to represent each branch of the armed forces — Psalm 107: 23-24 for the Marines, John 15:13 for the Army, Isaiah 40:31 for the Air Force, Jeremiah 29:13 for the Coast Guard and for the Navy Romans 12:12, which reads, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

The youth performed an impressive rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” on hand-held tone chimes and offered their own expressions of gratitude to veterans and those currently in service.

“I know it must be hard to deal with all the training you go through and leaving your families, and for that I thank you. You are the heart of America, and what good is a country without its heart and without its devoted soldiers, sailors and fliers?” said Samantha J. Holt. “I am proud to live in a country with men and women like you who are willing to give up their lives for this country.”

The Bridgeton High School Air Force Junior ROTC presented the nation’s colors, and Cadet 1st Lt. Diana Sandoval gave a powerful explanation of a symbolic table setting for one in recognition of prisoners of war (POWs) or comrades missing in action (MIA) as Cadet 1st Lt. Dontie Custis solemnly displayed the representative items.

“The tablecloth is white, a symbol of the purity of their intent to respond to this country’s call to arms. A single red rose in a vase signifies the blood many have shed in sacrifice for the freedoms we have in the United States of America and the families and friends who keep the faith while awaiting their return,” Sandoval explained.

A yellow ribbon on the vase represented the proper counting of missing comrades, and a slice of lemon on a plate reminded attendees of the bitter fate of POWs or those missing in action. Salt sprinkled on said plate represented the countless fallen tears as loved ones wait for them to come home.

“The glass is inverted — they cannot toast with us this night. The chair is empty — they are not here,” said Sandoval. “And a candle is reminiscent of the light of hope that lives in our hearts to illuminate the way home.”

VFW Post 1795 member John Gaskill marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with recognition of the “11th hour” as an hour of love, kindness, prayer, solitude, tears and grief, song, forgiveness, tribute, joy and recollection.

“In one short hour it is tomorrow, a new day. A new life begins, yet the memory of yesterday will live in our hearts forever,” Gaskill said.

VFW Post 1795 Commander Jim Woodside gave historical background on Veterans Day, explaining that Nov. 11 would still be known as Armistice Day if World War I had been the war to end all wars. He lamented the results of a poll published in March 2011 claiming that 73 percent of Americans couldn’t identify Communism as the ideology the United States opposed during the Cold War, and he reminded attendees that his service in Vietnam and the service of those in Korea and during the Cold War showed the world that Communism would not be tolerated when forced on nations.

“‘You don’t have to be wealthy to have freedom; our Constitution guarantees it. Our troops ensure it,’” Woodside continued, quoting musician Lee Greenwood. “‘This land called America exists because those before us got it right. They did a good job of leveling the playing field, leveraging power and giving every single citizen every opportunity to have a better life. We as a nation have many challenges ahead, but I’ll bet on us, as long as we keep faith, a strong defense and remember that our neighbor is most likely a veteran.’”

To conclude the program, VFW Post 1795 Honor Guard gave a 21-gun salute to veterans and a commanding firing of artillery, and Sine Glenning of Greenwich raised goosebumps with her playing of “Taps.”

“I’m glad I’m one of the ones who did make it home to be able to be here today. I lost my dog and a whole bunch of friends in Vietnam,” said U.S. Marine Corps veteran Guy Johnson, of Semper Marine Detachment 205 in Vineland.

“Next comes an emotional breakdown, then I’m on my way to the county cemetery to lay a purple heart on the grave of a fallen soldier. This was an absolutely fantastic program.”